Illustrating the Magic of Sharing Our Stories
Stone Soup in Ashland hosted PFLAG’s April 24,2025 “Decades of Advocacy” program starting with live music, followed by a delicious vegetarian meal. The evening continued with stories told by Gary Peterson, James Davies, Will Pipkin, Carver Harries, Carri Hoagland, and emceed by Jocelyn Langholz.
Gary Peterson concluded his talk with this challenge: "Everybody needs to do what they can, as they can, and to look for opportunities to push themselves beyond immediate comfort zones. This is always important, but never more so than now as we face forces in our land that have intentional and powerful designs to hide us and get rid of us. We should make no mistake and remain clear-eyed about that, as we go forth with joy to do the work."
Attendees laughed and cried as they heard stories that spanned decades. One mentioned his friendship with Harvey Milk in San Francisco. Another told us of advocacy done as a college student in the 1970’s.
The last speaker of the evening was Jess Hall, Vice President of PFLAG Washburn-Chequamegon Bay Chapter, who offered this advice: “During this particular time, we all should be finding ways to participate in large ways, while also balancing our own well-being. In today’s economic and political landscape, large scale advocacy is so very important, but we also must be mindful of our mental and emotional endurance. Take intentional breaks from the big things, and reconnect to the people around you, new acquaintances as well as comfortable old friends, and ground yourself in our common experience. Allow human connection to become the background hum to your advocacy work.”
Founded in 1973 by a mother and her gay son, PFLAG was born from the unified front of a family leading with love. An alliance of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones continues to fuel PFLAG, fifty-plus years later. PFLAG’s network of hundreds of chapters and more than 325,000 members and supporters are helping create an equitable and inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved. PFLAG Washburn was founded in 2009. Go to www.pflagwashburn.org for more info.
